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With a larger building in a thickly populated locality, the problem of reaching millions of unchurch people in the city presented itself more forcibly. Elder Dunn organized the church membership into a group of seventeen prayer bands. This outreach ministry reached the entire city of Chicago and many lives were touched.
During the year 1927, our first church paper was edited by Sister Julia London, and assisted by Miss Rosalia Cochran. This paper was known as "The Young People's Vision."
The leavening force of the precious Holy Spirit continue to work among Gods people, and space became limited During the year 1929, Pastor Dunn presented plans for remodeling the church building. Remodeling plans included larger seating capacity with other conveniences. In 1930 these plans materialized in a new addition consisting of a balcony seating of 200, a well equipped library, ladies lounge, a fully equipped print shop and two adjoining modern offices. The Honorable Judge Henry Harrison officiated at the laying of the cornerstone, and Dr. John A Morrison, president of Anderson College and Theological Seminary, delivered the dedicatory sermon.
Each year brought with it highlights and points of interest. The hand of God was working through his people, for at this time, the congregation was ranking second in membership in the reformation. Because of the success of his pastoral, Anderson College and Theological Seminary conferred upon Rev. S. P. Dunn, the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.
In 1936, Dr. S. P. Dunn with his workers arranged a special program for the Anderson Camp Meeting. The choir under the direction of Prof. L.F. Dunn rendered special music, and the young people directed by Thomas E. Strong conducted a special young people's service using as a subject. "Jesus Christ, the Panacea for the Worlds Ills." This was the first time services had been arranged by the colored brethren for the International Camp Meeting at Anderson.
During the summer of 1936, for the first time in the history of the work in Chicago, the congregations of the city pitched a large tent at 69th and Green Streets, where souls were saved and miraculous healings wrought by the power of God. Some of the outstanding ministers assisting in these services were E.E. Byrum, R.C. Caudill, H.M. Riggle, M.P.Rimmer, and others. Arthur Lynn, the golden tenor heard so often at the Anderson Camp Meeting, added much to the services with his lovely singing.
The congregation observed the eighteenth anniversary of Dr. S.P. Dunn's ministry with an impressive celebration of appreciation and acclamation Work in this particular locality was abruptly ended after twenty-one years, for on the morning of January 20, 1941, the entire building was razed by fire of undetermined origin. Despite the great loss sustained, the church records were miraculously preserved through Divine Providence, and the books containing them are still in use at the present time. This severe disaster presented a challenge to our hopes, for we were working diligently, looking forward to the time when we could be free from debt. Now, we would have to begin again, and although we were homeless, we were not hopeless nor utterly cast down for "the eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Through the magnanimous spirit of the pastor and officers of the Christian Church located at 4415 Indiana Avenue, we were permitted to hold our Sunday morning service and Tuesday evening service in their church building.
Finally, after several
months of incessant toil, planning, fundraising, and through the generosity
of our pastor, the Lord enabled us to secure a commodious and satisfactory
place of worship where we are now located. Thus it seems, our adversities
and disasters seem to have proved blessings in disguise.
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